Page 74 of Daughters of Chaos

"Why are we doing this again?" Archie asks as he moves an end table to the kitchen.

"We're teaching Nix and Lace self-defense," I answer with a huff. It didn't take much convincing earlier to get Raptor and Reaper to agree. I made a compelling case that having Nix and Lace trained in basic self-defense was smart in our current predicament. They immediately jumped on board and started helping transform the living room.

I spend the next two hours demonstrating and training them with the help of my MC assistants. Nix picks things up quickly with Raptor's help, and Lace does okay at first. She really seems to improve when Stitch arrives from his errand and starts helping out. With him demonstrating techniques for her, she does so much better. I know their chemistry has a lot to do with it, but whatever the reason, I'm glad she's retaining the information.

It makes us all feel better to know they have at least some basic defensive knowledge. If something horrible happens, they can at least attempt to fend off an attacker. Let's hope it never comes to that.

The air is thick with tension that no one wants to mention. More people are going to get hurt before the end. Probably some standing in this room. Maybe all of us if things go to shit. It isn't a happy topic, and we want to prolong any sense of normalcy we can until it's too late.

My eyes meet Reaper's from across the room, and something inside me stirs. Nix is more than enough reason to want this war to end sooner rather than later, but now I have more than her to stress about. My former nemesis now means something to me, something I never expected. He, Jesse, Lace, and the rest of the MC have all become important to me.

Now, the Bastards have more than one way they can destroy me. Now, losing any one of them would cut me to the core.

43

Unknown

These fuckers won't know what hit them. They have no idea what Prez has in store for their precious little club. That stupid whore of theirs was only the start. By the time we're done with them, Viper's entire crew will bleed, starting with his pretty little daughters.

A twisted chuckle leaves my lips at the thought. Oh, the things I'd like to do to them.

The Sons won't have time to mourn their loss before we hit them hard. We'll destroy everything they own. Every single thing they've built will burn to ash. We'll take over their territory. We'll take back what should have been ours from the start.

They'll see who the real kings of Arizona are and learn that messing with us only leads to death and destruction. Everyone will see, and everyone will know.

I creep around the corner of the building, careful not to be seen. Prez will be so proud when I tell him I've done it, started the fire that will burn down the Sons' empire. He'll reward me handsomely. Maybe even with one of the twins once we collect them.

I lick my lips at the thought. Yeah, that would be a generous reward, but first, I have to get this done.

This is just step one in our plan. The rest will follow soon after.

Peeking through the small window on the side of the building, I see three men inside. All wearing Sons' cuts. Good, I'll take out some of their men while I'm at it.

Uncapping the gas can, I start moving around the outside of the building. Voices ring through the air inside. They have no idea I'm here, no clue what's about to happen. It sends a rush of adrenaline through my veins.

I soak the perimeter before jamming the exits, making sure those fuckers can't escape. They'll be the first to burn.Serves 'em right, the fuckers.Enjoy your ticket to hell!

A second gas can is emptied on the sides of the building, saturating every inch I can reach. Boss wants this place to burn fast and furious, so no one has time to save it. He wants to send a message, and I'm here to deliver.

I send a text, letting my ride know I'm about ready for extraction before lighting a match. I drop it on the gas trail and watch with amusement as the building goes up in flames. It doesn't take long for the shouting to start. They know what's happening now. They know their sanctuary is about to burn down with them inside, and there's nothing they can do about it.

The door starts to rattle as the men inside desperately try to escape, but I did my job well. I made sure no one could get in or out, so there would be no survivors.

Sounds like they're realizing it, too.

The shouting from inside grows louder and more frantic as smoke billows from the windows. Choking and coughing sounds coming from the dying men inside fill me with pride.I've done it. Prez will be so happy.

My ride pulls up, and I stash the evidence, jumping inside as they pull away. Before we get too far, I tell them to stop. There's still one more thing I want to do. I pull out my piece and fire six shots at the bikes parked out front, puncturing the gas tanks.

I let out a maniacal laugh as I watch them explode.

The dimming glow from the neon sign fades away as we make our getaway.Sons of Sorrow, it read.

Now they have a reason to mourn.

44

Phoenix

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